Under the new 'Self – Build Wales' scheme, which will be administered by the Development Bank of Wales (DBW), would-be self builders will be able to view available plots on an interactive map of Wales, including plots being prepared for the scheme. 

Each plot on the map will have a ‘plot passport’, which will include information about the price of the plot; Planning; approved property designs as well as estimated build costs.

Successful applicants will have to provide a deposit of 25% of the cost of the plot while DBW will provide (subject to qualifying criteria) a self-build development loan to cover the balance of the plot (75%) and the full cost of building the property.

Site plots will be available to everyone, not just first time buyers. Self – Build Wales is designed to suit as many needs as possible, including those that need a bigger house, are looking to downsize but stay in their area or are looking for an adapted home. 

Where there are multiple applications for plots, each application will be assessed and scored by the relevant local authority based on their priorities for the area. These priorities will be detailed in the plot passports alongside full details regarding the application process.

Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James said: “We want to make self-build available to many more people in Wales, not just the most privileged households. Finding the land, navigating planning consents and being able to afford to self-build while covering the cost of living can be real barriers. 

“We have launched this scheme in partnership with local authorities to overcome all of these barriers. This offers a route into home ownership for people who want to stay in their local area but haven’t previously been able to afford to buy there. It also offers older and disabled people the opportunity to build custom adaptive housing that meets their needs in the communities where they want to live.

“Figures suggest an average self-build house in the UK costs only 70-75% of its final value because no developer profits are involved. This puts that benefit into the pocket of the homeowner. At around 10% of new homes the UK has a much lower rate of self-building than other countries around the world. 

“As we work to increase the amount of housing available, this scheme will help people who wouldn’t normally think of self-build to consider it seriously.

“The scheme will launch in late spring this year, and in the coming months there will be more information available on the Your Home in Wales website.”

More details about the scheme are available here